CD133+ progenitor cells have been found in different segments of the human nephron.
In particular, CD133-expressing cells are present in the cortex, in Bowman's capsule of the glomerulus, and in proximal convoluted tubules and in medulla, in the Henle's loop, and its thin limb segments. The collecting ducts are negative. During repair of renal injury, CD133-expressing cells are increased, suggesting a contribution in renal regeneration. An increase has also been observed in pathological conditions. CD133+ cells contribute to the formation of glomerular crescents and are lining the cysts in the polycystic kidney disease. Therefore, an altered regulation of CD133+ cell proliferation or differentiation could be involved in glomerular and tubular response to injury in pathological condition. In clear cell renal carcinoma, despite CD133+ cells appeared to contribute to tumor vascularization, they did not display features of tumor-initiating cells.
Written by:
Bussolati B, Camussi G. Are you the author?
Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Cso Dogliotti 14, 10126, Torino, Italy.
Reference: Adv Exp Med Biol. 2013;777:113-23.
doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-5894-4_8
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23161079
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